"We're also grateful to other members of our state's delegation, including Reps. Jennifer Dunn and Norm Dicks for their work in getting these funds through."

The funds are contained in the Congressional conference agreement on the FY 2002 transportation appropriations bill. The conference report now goes to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate for final passage, and then to the President for his signature.

The federal funds to be provided to Sound Transit include:

$20 million for Sounder commuter rail service

$1.6 million for the Bellevue Transit Center (a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Oct. 26; it will open in June 2002)